Shabsie Saphirstein

Communal unity was on full display just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday evening, June 14, at the Beth Gavriel Bukharian Jewish Congregation and Community Center when history was made and a whopping $9,338,530 was raised as construction on the new citadel of Torah in Forest Hills enters its final stages. Reaching 116% of the fundraiser original $8 million goal, kudos was extended by Rav Emanuel Shimonov, mara d’atra; Rav Ilan Meirov, mara d’atra of the youth minyan; and Rav Tomer Zion, mara d’atra of the netz minyan, to the Alishaev and Koptiev families for matching every donation raised.

Late in the evening on Thursday, June 1, a Queens Borough Safety Patrol-Shmira member noticed swastikas and extremely hurtful wording praising Nazis drawn on a New York City traffic signal box. The New York Police Department's 112th precinct was immediately informed, and a swift response included an onsite visit from their Executive Officer.

On a Wednesday evening in June, I experienced the world quite differently, as I joined SINAI@YCQ students at their art show and saw life through their very own eyes. Each and every masterpiece showcased their unique individuality and intellect at the exhibit detailing the students’ very own handmade creations. I had previously written on SINAI’s cutting-edge special education work locally; however, this was my first opportunity to see the fruits of their labor.

Last Wednesday, May 31, I was privileged to attend Mayor Eric Adams’ Gracie Mansion reception celebrating Jewish Heritage Month. As I walked into the spacious courtyard, exchanging pleasantries with Rav Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, I was pleasantly surprised at the sea of yarmulkes and sheitels I saw. I had expected every walk of Jewish life to attend this program but was moved to see the impact of New York’s Orthodox Jewish community in full display. It was truly a room of friends that greeted the Mayor and his esteemed staff. I would be remiss if I did not note the impact of three such members: Menashe Shapiro (the Mayor’s deputy chief of staff), Joel Eisdorfer (the Mayor’s senior advisor), and NYPD Inspector Richie Taylor (Commanding Officer of the Department’s Community Affairs Unit), who was flanked by tens of police and fire officers, both Jewish and non-Jewish friends of our communities.

“Am Yisrael chai” is an oft-used slogan, but it was quite befitting for the 58th annual JCRC-NY Celebrate Israel Parade held this past Sunday along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, as group after group chanted its familiar tune. 

The Kew Gardens community once again continued its tradition of hosting a Legal Holiday Yarchei Kallah shiur. Following Shacharis this past Memorial Day at Kew Gardens Synagogue Adath Yeshurun, Rabbi Aryeh Sokoloff, Rabbi Emeritus of the shul, delivered an in-depth analysis of Birkas HaTorah, extending the z’man kabalas haTorah beyond the Yom Tov of Shavuos itself.